Editorial Reviews

Product Description

From the studio behind Toradora! and ?kami-san and her Seven Companions comes the iconic series centered around the heated bond and supernatural battles of two friends from two very different worlds. Wielding a blazing sword, Shana is a fiery huntress whose sole purpose is to fight demon-like beings that consume human lives. To reduce the impact on the human realm, Shana turns the slain into shadows of their former selves. Once a flame that represents their remaining life goes out, they fade from existence. This should be Yuji's fate, but when he discovers he holds a special power that ignites a newfound strength in Shana, they join forces in her ongoing mission to maintain the balance between the ordinary world and the supernatural.

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Adapted from the popular light novels written by Yashichiro Takahashi and illustrated by Noizi Ito, the broadcast series Shakugan no Shana (2005) combines a high school romantic triangle with a supernatural adventure. Yuji Sakai believes he's a normal teenager--until a mysterious girl announces that he's actually dead and is just running on leftover energy. The inhabitants of the parallel dimension of the Crimson World have been devouring human Power of Existence to fuel their realm. Once their resources have been sapped, the humans continue to exist for a brief time as Torches, then disappear, with no one remembering they ever existed. As a Flame Haze, the girl whom Yuji names "Shana" is dedicated to battling the alien beings and restoring the balance of Misaki City. But Yuji doesn't disappear: within him is the mysterious entity known as the Lost Child of Midnight, which magically restores all the energy he's lost each day. Ball Masque, a sinister cabal within the Crimson World, desires this power: their agents pursue Yuji, unleashing a string of battles with rising stakes. Yuji's kind heart wins over the icy Shana and their bond becomes all-important to her. When Kazumi, Yuji's timorous classmate, falls for him, a standard set of complications ensues. Shakugan no Shana involves a lot of stock anime elements, from the ordinary guy whose good nature conceals unsuspected reserves of strength to the vast, ill-defined plot that threatens his home town. But the storytelling is often problematic. The filmmakers spend too much time pitting the main characters against straw men, leaving the main storyline underdeveloped. There are flashbacks within flashbacks, and tiresome expository speeches. Despite these flaws, Shakugan no Shana proved popular, spawning manga, sequels, spinoffs, and a theatrical feature. (Rated TV 14: violence, violence against women, brief nudity, risqué humor, grotesque imagery, alcohol use, suggested incest) --Charles Solomon

In 2002, Yashichiro Takahashi and illustrator Noizi Ito created the Japanese light novel series "Shana".

Published by ASCII Media Works from 2002 through 2011, the light novel series would receive two manga adaptations serialized in "Dengeki Daioh" and "Dengeki Maioh" and in 2005-2006, a PS2 and Nintendo DS video game and would also receive an anime series adaptation by J.C. Staff. A second season titled "Shakugan no Shana Second" was aired in 2007-2008, followed by a four-episode OVA in 2009-2010 and most recently, a third season titled "Shakugan no Shana Final" airing in 2011-2012.

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It's important to note that "Shakugan no Shana" season one is an anime series made back in 2005-2006. So, this is essentially an upconverted anime series. While watching on DVD, for most people, picture quality would look good but on Blu-ray, while the anime series is colorful and vibrant at times, it's also a bit soft and has banding issues. It's not the best looking upconverted anime series on Blu-ray but I am glad that "Shakugan no Shana" was released on Blu-ray because I want the other newer series to be released on Blu-ray as well.

But animation was good, but not as fully-detailed. Art backgrounds are good but not great. If anything, what I did enjoy about the series is the many locations incorporated in this TV series. A good balance of animation and CG, it's just that for people with high expectations of anime series on Blu-ray, this is not a series to have high hopes for. It's more or less an upconvert of an entertaining anime series that gets better overtime and will lead to two more seasons which do look better, especially "Shakugan no Shana Final" which aired in Japan in 2011-2012.Read more ›

Shakugan no Shana is by far, my favorite anime series. While it does have some stiff competition from a few others, this series has always knocked it out of the park.

As many others have said, the new voice English actors in S2 can throw you for a loop; but I prefer to not dwell on something so petty. The series is wonderful regardless and while I know the end of S3 was the appropriate place to stop the series, I am still saddened to see it end.

The story line has been done before. High school boy meets a girl with special powers. Even though this theme has been rehashed over and over; this series is surprisingly good. Yuji is a normal guy who happens to run into the flame haze, Shana. Shana fights a never ending battle with beings from a parallel dimension that eat human souls. The story is about the bond of their friendship and their fight to save the world. There are a lot of things about this anime to like. The animation is really good, the voice acting is good and the characters are interesting. Each episode keeps you wanting to keep watching more. As the relationships between the characters grows stronger the show becomes more captivating. I haven't watched the DVD version, but the Blu-ray version is good; not the best Blu-ray quality I've seen; but the picture is clear and the colors are vivid. The worst part about the show is that I have to wait to see the 2nd season. I really liked Shakugan no Shana and I'm looking forward to the 2nd season. It's not a new idea but it's still a really enjoyable anime. Give it a shot why don't ya.

Shakugan no Shana is a wonderful anime series. Meet the flaming-haired blazing-eyed hunter as she encounters a mysterious torch by the name of Yuji Sakai. I can't really say too much without spoiling any of the story, however Shakugan no Shana, in my opinion, has successfully merged and action based anime with your average love plot. A much better attempt than many of its predecessors. Shakugan no Shana is my all time favorite anime series, followed distantly by Sailor Moon. In only 24 episodes Season 1 captures the attention of the viewer as well as tests their imaginations. Not all of the animations are top-notch, however far exceed that of many anime that I have seen.

Overall, Shakugan no Shana recieves a 4.7 of 5 stars, from me.The plot is basic, however is interesting. At times it may seem repetitive, but not so blatantly as to lose fervor or attention. For hours upon hours of an excellent anime (as well as special features), I highly recommend Shakugan no Shana.

This anime is the best anime, there is drama, action and a love story behind it. There's 3 seasons after the this one and a great plot in the story and this follow this through the end. I recommend any one to check out this series, you will not be disappointed !!!

Seeing as Shana season 1 is a rarity now I could understand why they would re-release the first season. I know alot of people are antsy for the new 2 seasons you still have to remember that some of us don't even have ssn 1 yet. I had the misfortune to get into this series after the fact that they... Read More